The Compass Special Edition
"Unlock the Treasure in Every Child" - July 16, 2020
Special Edition Information.
In addition, I would like to offer you a chance to join a virtual Question and Answer Session with me on Friday, July 17 @ 10 a.m. Please sign up to join the session by following this link. An email will be sent with an access link to the Google Meet no later than 9:45 a.m.
I know that this communication contains a lot of information at one time, but I hope this information is helpful to you. Please let us know if we can be of assistance!
Thank you for all of the support, encouragement, and dedication every family has shown to our school community. Please be safe and enjoy the rest of your week.
With great respect,
Daniel Simons
WCPSS Virtual Academy Updates: Open House
As you are aware of by now, WCPSS is offering a Virtual Academy for families who wish to take advantage of this 100% online option. This choice will allow your children to engage in the same curriculum as face-to-face students and follow the same school calendar. Instruction will include some “live” teaching, as well as videos and independent assignments. If you apply, there is an opportunity to request a computer and internet access if needed.
To help answer questions about the virtual academy, WCPSS will host a virtual open house about this option on Thursday, July 16 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. You can submit your specific question for the open house via this Google form. The forum will address those questions that have been the most common among the WCPSS community.
Attend the Open House on Thursday beginning at 5:30 PM by clicking here:www.youtube.com/user/WakeCountySchools.
It will also be archived on the WCPSS YouTube channel.
I also encourage you to visit the website for additional details and registration information. The Frequently Asked Question section has recently been updated to provide answers to the questions WCPSS staff are getting asked the most. Also, please remember that the registration is open through Monday, 7/20. You can access the website here: WCPSS Virtual Academy
Face Coverings
Yesterday, in his announcement about the reopening of schools, Governor Cooper shared new information regarding elementary children and face coverings. The previous information we had was that face coverings would be optional for elementary, and mandatory for middle and high school. (Employees are also required to wear face coverings.) Here is the information we received:
“All students will be expected to wear face coverings when they are anywhere on school grounds and while traveling on buses, vendor transportation or other WCPSS vehicles. Exemptions will still be allowed for individuals who cannot tolerate a face covering due to developmental, medical, or behavioral health needs or due to a sincerely held religious belief. The state announced it will provide five face coverings for every K-12 student and school employees.”
Please know that I believe there will be more guidance provided over the next few weeks. Thus, I ask that everyone please remain patient as we continue to work through what the governor's statement means and how it will be enacted within the school setting.
Return to School Additional Information
I know that you have a lot of questions about the return to school. We are waiting on additional information as well so we can begin to plan for the new school year. Right now, some of the areas that we are waiting on more information include kindergarten staggered entry, as well as guidelines for recess, lunch, and specials classes. Once we get this information, we can then finalize some plans and share that information with you.
As previously shared, students who return to school on Plan B will be in school one week and then work remotely for two weeks. However, all students – regardless of which of the three cohorts they are on – will rotate in the building the first week of school so they can meet their teacher and get information on accessing remote assignments. The weekly rotation will start after that point.
Timeline for Decisions
Several of the key decisions we need to make (teacher and student class assignments, student groupings, etc.) are contingent on additional information. Once the Virtual Academy application window closes, we will then know how many students will be attending school. At that point, the WCPSS transportation department will create bus routes (based on social distancing guidelines) and start the process for creating the three cohorts for Plan B. The district will refine those groups to ensure siblings are in the same cohort, and then provide that information to us. After we get that, we can then finalize the cohort groups at the school level and share that information with you. We do not expect to get our lists from the district until early August.
About Us.
Email: dsimons@wcpss.net
Website: www.wcpss.net/BuckhornCreekES
Location: 5651 Honeycutt Road, Holly Springs, NC, USA
Phone: (919) 694-8970
Twitter: @BuckhornCreekES